10 years of Bhopal – A Prayer For Rain: Kal Penn says, “I’m glad there are multiple stories about the Bhopal disaster”

By Subhash K. Jha -

December 7, 2024 - 3:40 PM IST

Kal Penn has great memories of Ravi Kumar’s Bhopal: A Prayer For Rain, which completed ten years on December 5. “Working with Martin Sheen, Rajpal Yadav, Mischa Barton, and Manoj Joshi was very special. I always love shooting in India, and we had a stellar crew and production team. It's a tragedy that incorporates everything from political corruption to corporate malfeasance at multiple levels, and the victims have yet to be properly taken care of. An inexcusable and preventable tragedy,” he said.

10 years of Bhopal – A Prayer For Rain: Kal Penn says, “I’m glad there are multiple stories about the Bhopal disaster”

Working with Martin Sheen was a learning experience for Kal. He said, “I learned so much in working with Martin, who approached each day with such joy and empathy, for the subject matter, sure, but also toward each person he met and interacted with. Rajpal Yadav was so kind and inclusive, and I loved trading stories about our work, process, and love for the craft. I haven't had the chance to do many projects based on real-life events, so it does hold a special place in that regard. I'm also glad there are multiple stories about the Bhopal disaster, since it's a story that really should be out there more.”

In 2021 Kal Penn outed himself as gay. He is happy with his decision. “When I included a short chapter about our first date in my book ‘You Can't Be Serious’, I genuinely didn't realize there would be such interest,” he said. “It's incredibly flattering and kind, and people are generous with their love, which I am grateful for. As many aunties remind me regularly, we aren't married yet, ha ha.”

Kal looks back at 2024 with gratitude. “I'd say one highlight this year is having had the opportunity to meet and spend time with a number of artists, and quite a few desi ones, whose work I really admire. Ishan in Australia, Chirag Patel (Karpe) in Norway, Alok Menon here in New York, and my friends Zakir Khan, Manan Desai, and Zoya Akhtar in India. Yes, it's been an artistically fulfilling 2024,” he said.

Kal added, “The year ended by finishing a week of The Daily Show, which helped launch a new comedy satire we're pitching here in the United States. I have my hands full producing a few documentaries that range from climate to food. And I also wrapped production on a film called, Trust Me, I'm a Doctor, which will make the festival rounds in 2025. Looking forward to the year ahead!”

Also Read:Subhash K Jha speaks about Bhopal: A Prayer For Rain